This Compressor Station poses a serious threat to the health, safety, environment, and economy of the South Shore.

SpectraEnergy, now known as Enbridge*, plans to build a 7,700-horsepower Fracked-Gas Compressor Station adjacent to the new Fore River Bridge in North Weymouth, which will adversely affect South Shore residents.

This facility has no business being in this location - or any location. Compressors are usually built in rural areas given their environmental, health, and safety risks. The Weymouth Compressor Station would be built in the most densely populated location ever in the United States. The compressor is not needed in Basin, nor anywhere else.

This compressor is part of the Atlantic Bridge pipeline project, which Spectra Energy is building to bring fracked natural gas through New England and into Canada. The compressor was also a component of the Access Northeast project, which would have expanded the compressor to 18,600HP. Access Northeast was withdrawn on June 29, 2017.

There is no public vote and limited public input in this process, so it is important for South Shore residents to join the ongoing opposition to ensure that our voices are heard. Join us as we ask our Local, State, and Federal governments and regulatory agencies to put a stop to this foolish idea.

*Enbridge merged with Spectra Energy in 2017, making it one of the largest oil and gas companies in North America. Though the two have merged under the name, Enbridge, we continue to use Spectra's name throughout our site and publications.

Frequently Asked Questions & More Info:

ImAGE SOURCE: Ecori

What Is a Compressor Station?

Compressor Stations are part of Spectra Energy's pipeline running from New Jersey to Canada. Compressors help move natural gas along the system, and must be installed every 40-to-100 miles. During normal operations, Compressor Stations emit air and noise pollution. More serious impacts are felt during periodic blowdowns, during which millions of cubic-feet of untreated natural gas are released into the air.

Where Is the Compressor being Proposed on the South Shore?

The proposed site is directly adjacent to the new Fore River Bridge in North Weymouth. The site is within 1/2-mile of 900+ homes in Weymouth and Quincy, and the deleterious effects will be felt throughout the South Shore. Similar stations are usually built on 50+ acre parcels, far removed from residential communities. This site is 4-acres, and unprecedentedly close to thousands of residents.

What Are The Risks of a Compressor Station being built here?

Compressor Stations are usually built in rural locations because of their environmental impacts, including air, noise, and odor pollution concerns. There's also a scary track record of accidents, not to mention the periodic blowdowns that will disrupt residents and cause unknown health impacts.

What a Compressor Station "blowdown" looks and sounds like

Spectra talks a lot about normal daily operations, and downplays the periodic blowdowns that occur at all Compressor Stations. These are done for maintenance, to relieve gas pressure, or in the case of an emergency. During a blowdown, untreated Natural Gas will be blown into the air and into our communities with unknown health impacts.

Are Compressor Stations Safe? NO.

Under normal circumstances, maybe. But there is a proven record of fire and explosions at Compressor Stations across the country. If a similar incident happened at the proposed Weymouth location, it would have enormous impacts on the surrounding community.

This video is from the Falcon Natural Gas Compressor Station in Pinedale, Wyoming. On December 6th, 2011 it caught fire and exploded during a "normal venting operation." An incident like this would require massive evacuations and the shut-down of Route 3A.

Will My Home Be Affected?

There are 900+ property owners within 1/2 mile of the site. But the impacts would be felt much further than that. For example, the smell of natural gas will reach Hingham and Hull (and perhaps beyond). The Compressor will also decrease property values and erode our tax base, while significantly burdening our public services– and with little-to-no benefit for local residents. Towns will see a decreased tax base, which means lower budgets for municipal services.

Join the mailing list for up-to-date information about stopping this DUMB idea from hurting the South Shore

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What Is Being Done To Stop The Weymouth Compressor Station?

There is a growing coalition working to stop this madness! The Weymouth Town Council and the Mayor have been outspoken opponents of this proposal. Join us!

There will be no public vote. The Town of Weymouth may not be able to stop this on its own. This proposal will be approved/rejected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), a federal agency that has continually approved these stations, despite local opposition nationwide.

It is important that we organize and mobilize the opposition at key times during the FERC Regulatory Process. Join the mailing list to be kept up-to-date.